As remote work becomes the norm, employee turnover spikes, and compliance demands grow, businesses are feeling the pressure on their HR functions.
What worked before just doesn’t cut it anymore, especially for companies on the rise.
Empxtrack Founder & CEO Tushar Bhatia joins us to share the key warning signs businesses should watch for to ensure their HR functions remain a strategic asset for growth, and not a roadblock.
Who Is Tushar Bhatia?
With about 30 years of experience in HR technology, Tushar launched Empxtrack to fill a gap in accessible, high-quality HR software for small businesses. His vision for Empxtrack is to offer a "Build your HR Software at your own pace" model, allowing businesses to start, experiment, and grow with customizable and cost-effective solutions. Under Tushar's leadership, Empxtrack has grown into a profitable enterprise with over 550 enterprise customers and over 20,000 small businesses.
It sometimes happens that HR operations are no longer capable of effectively supporting a company's needs.
Tushar shares how businesses can recognize such unsustainable functions:
- Overcommitted HR department: When policies are not clearly articulated, complex or automation does not exist, the HR function has to handle a stream of queries from employees. This can also be seen if your ratio of HR employees is higher than your peers.
- High employee turnover: Increased dissatisfaction or frequent departures often indicate problems with HR practices or policies.
- Ineffective HR practices: Issues such as poor onboarding, benefits administration, or performance management can signal failing HR functions.
- Low employee engagement: Disengaged employees might be a sign of ineffective HR strategies or lack of support.
- Frequent compliance issues: Struggles to keep up with changing regulations can indicate a failing HR system.
- Failure to integrate smoothly with other systems: Integration problems can suggest that your HR technology is outdated or incompatible with other systems.
- Lack of analytics and reporting: Inadequate data insights can hinder decision-making and reveal underlying issues in HR operations.
For businesses, this is important to know as it can help proactively invest in HR solutions and strategies that meet their current and future needs.
Watch this Empxtrack video to check if your HR department needs help with automation:
Additionally, Tushar thinks that businesses also make two key mistakes when starting to leverage automation:
- Choosing automation solutions based on popularity rather than how well they meet their specific needs.
- Rushing into HR automation without a clear strategy can often end up automating processes that aren't high-impact or don't align with their overall goals
To overcome these, he advises businesses to assess their growing HR needs and select the right platform accordingly.
This is on top of conducting a thorough assessment of current HR operations and developing a robust strategy prioritizing targeted automation areas to ensure that the technology integrates seamlessly with their systems.
HR Technology Supports the Shift to Hybrid and Remote Work
16% of the total employees globally work remotely, while 62% opted for working hybrid.
Given this increasing trend, HR technology is truly helpful in meeting the various needs of hybrid and remote workforces.
“HR technology is essential for maintaining flexibility and efficiency.
Cloud-based HR platforms, such as Empxtrack, allow employees to securely access their data anytime, from anywhere, ensuring that HR professionals can manage, update, and analyze employee information seamlessly, even when working remotely,” Tushar explains.
He adds that these cloud HR systems also enhance communication and collaboration through integrated tools and virtual onboarding systems, helping sustain productivity and a positive employee experience.
“By utilizing data and reporting tools, businesses can gain valuable insights into employee engagement and productivity, enabling them to address issues proactively and keep teams connected.
Security remains a top priority, and advanced technologies are crucial for protecting sensitive data. Platforms like Empxtrack offer robust security features to ensure compliance with regulations and safeguard information,” he shares.
Leveraging HR Tech to Build a Culture That Values Employees
Employee retention is a major concern, as 51% of employees actively seek new jobs.
Given this, I asked Tushar how businesses can leverage technology tactically to foster better engagement and create a culture that retains top talent.
He shares that several aspects companies should consider:
- Implementing self-service platforms: Software tools such as Empxtrack empower employees to manage their own HR-related tasks which helps reduce administrative burden and engage employees by giving them more control over their personal information
- Creating personalized experiences: Using data to offer customized development opportunities and recognition can make employees feel valued
- Leveraging real-time feedback tools: Such tools help understand and address employee concerns before they escalate
- Automating routine tasks: The process frees up time for HR teams to focus on building stronger, more supportive relationships with employees
“By integrating these technologies thoughtfully, companies can foster a culture where employees feel genuinely valued, which is key to improving retention and satisfaction,” Tushar concludes.
Given that companies often select an automation platform based on popularity, which is wrong, I asked Tushar about what a business owner should evaluate before investing in HR technology.
As per him, several key factors can make a difference in getting the right HR automation software:
- Scalability: Choose a solution that grows with your business and handles increasing users and data without sacrificing performance
- Integration: Ensure the HR technology seamlessly connects with your existing systems, like payroll and finance, to reduce data silos and boost efficiency
- User-friendliness: The technology should be intuitive and easy for your team to adopt, minimizing the learning curve
- Customization: Select a solution that can be tailored to your company’s specific processes and needs, rather than forcing your practices into a rigid system
- Data security: Ensure the provider complies with top security standards, including robust encryption and compliance with data protection regulations
- Cost-effectiveness: Consider the total cost of ownership, including licensing, implementation, and ongoing maintenance, and evaluate whether the technology offers good value
- Vendor support and future-proofing: Strong support ensures quick issue resolution and regular updates while investing in technology that stays current with industry trends provides long-term value and reduces the need for frequent upgrades
HR Analytics Drives Smarter Talent Management for Small Businesses
Data is an important asset in decision-making.
Businesses can especially use HR analytics to drive better talent management and workforce planning
Tushar explains that analytics and data can play a vital role in:
- Streamlining recruitment and onboarding
- Managing payroll expenses
- Supporting diversity and inclusion goals
- Evaluating benefits and training programs
- Understanding employee engagement
- Refining HR practices from exit insights
Insights like these can help small businesses make informed decisions, improve workforce satisfaction, enhance efficiency, and remain competitive.
Ensuring Compliance in a Complex Regulatory Environment
Labor laws and data privacy regulations constantly evolve which makes it increasingly complex to stay compliant.
Tushar shares some of the most critical advice businesses can abide by:
- Integrating automated compliance tools is crucial. These tools help keep HR processes aligned with the latest regulations and reduce the risk of human error.
- Regular updates and training for HR teams ensure they stay informed about changes in laws and best practices.
- Establishing a comprehensive data management system provides transparency and control over data handling.
- Clear communication and regular audits of processes and third-party contracts help in promptly addressing any compliance issues and ensuring that all partners adhere to the necessary standards.
Businesses should ensure staying compliant to protect themselves from legal risks, financial penalties, and reputational damage.
To support their business growth, companies should ensure their HR practices remain effective despite the changing trends such as remote work and evolving compliance demands.
Strategically implementing HR automation for operational tasks and using analytics to improve talent management and employee satisfaction can make a difference in supporting sustainable business growth.
